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Aditya_Shankar
Reviews
Guntur Kaaram (2024)
Cold dish from the fridge heated up and served with Guntur Chillies
With a predictable and stale storyline Trivikram doesn't offer anything new for MB fans and general audiences alike. It is a rehash of director's previous films like ALVP, AD, and Agnyatavasi. GK is an entirely one man show watchable for MB.
Mahesh Babu's role as Ramana, though poorly written, somehow suits the actor well. His acting, screen presence, witty one liners, and charming dance combine graciously to bring at least some entertainment in this film. His new rugged look is a treat for his fans!
Sreeleela was forgettable at best, the romantic angle wasn't explored at all. One long drive on Ramana's massy red jeep, and that's all for her to fall in love! All that she gets to do in the film is to dance. She deserved a better character arc.
Thaman's bgm, movie's production values, and screenplay all are average at best. Neither good nor bad. They don't disappoint but also don't add much value to the film. Thaman's bgm is just the instrumental version of Dum Masala song from the same movie. The same bgm is used in MB's entry and in interval scene. However, the music and dance were beautiful. I enjoyed each and every song. Still there are too many songs in the film that makes me ask "Is this even a film or just a jukebox?!"
With an interesting title, neat enough production values, cool music with energetic dance, Mahesh Babu's screen presence under 3Vikram's usual template, what could've been a much better film, this doesn't even rise above the average mark!
GK is the best example of a missed opportunity due to the director's carelessness. In short, if you don't care about the storyline, and just want the usual massala stuff with a lot of song and dance, only then go for it.
Leo (2023)
A neatly done remake with moments of fresh attraction
Leo is inspired by History of Violence. Yet Loki's directorial skills made me hope for the best. Almost all the suspense ends before the interval itself and what we're left with is a stale second half, for the most part. Then as the film nears the climax it picks up gear and improves, well at least visually.
We all know at the back of our heads what will happen in the next scene, yet we want to see how it will unfold. That's why, Leo isn't necessarily a bad film, despite being predictable for the most part.
Anirudh's bgm tries to lift the movie and succeeds to some extent. However, it mostly runs on Vijay's star-power and particularly his acting skills in this film. Loki does justice. But Leo didn't turn out to be as good of a film as we expected from Loki.
Most of the hype lies in the fan theories about the film and the discussion about the titular character Leo. Keeping that aside, Leo is just an okayish film.
Animal (2023)
Not the kind of movie that I expected; Facepalm for 3h 20min
When I came to know Ranbir's Animal was being directed by SRV, I knew there would be some gore and toxic stuff. But compromising the story for all this is just insanity! With a wafer thin plot (which is inspired from Godfather - also not a movie of my liking), Animal is a mere revenge drama with an okayish screenplay but weak everything else.
The dialogues and delivery are just so unnatural and cringe worthy. It seems awkard when random dialogues about human anatomy are thrown. The way characters speak in some scenes looks like it's also 'inspired' from some dull hollywood movies. Even the title card is badly displayed in a random scene when Ranbir is talking to his cousin.
What more can be said?! I didn't like even a single scene from this film as this film gave me headache. I am happy that I didn't watch this in theatre, because this 3h 20min film is a torture even when watching on Netflix. If I had watched in theatre, I don't know whether I'd be in a situation to write this review, lol! ;-)
Japan (2023)
Didn't expect this from Karthi
I just watched Karthi starrer Japan, and I have to say - "It's boring" - it could've been a good script but it failed as a movie. Wasted opportunity by the director.
First half is an utter waste - felt like walking out of the theatre, and second half was decent, and it actually had a good ending to the story.
GVPK'S music fails to deliver goosebumps. Just a lame loud bass sound doesn't make a good bgm!
Coming to the acting, Karthi has done a good job, but the poor writing cannot be saved by Karthi's nice acting. Then there are these ridiculous fight scenes (especially that one scene after his intro;-)
There are plot twists. Some predictable, and some unpredictable. Still, that doesn't impress. The film has unnecessary violence and the fights happen too late (the hero talks for a while before a fight and we keep waiting for the dialogues to end and the fight to start)
Climax was good. That's all there is to this film.
Ravanasura (2023)
A decent mass thriller, but not a good suspense movie
Except for some controversial dialogues and predictable twists (and terribly weak screenplay), there wasn't anything particularly bad about this film. It is watchable but NOT at all a family friendly movie!
Suspense gets revealed too soon (in early 1st half, and after that there's no suspense left in the film)
Till then we get to see funny mass moments and some songs. For those who strictly want suspense movie, this might be a big letdown.
Highlights:
1. Ravi Teja's subtle acting in a negative shade and his screen presence
2. Songs - Pyaar Lona Paagal was fantastic! Others were forgettable
Drawbacks: Big let down is the screenplay and direction.
1. Weak, Terrible, and Tiresome Screenplay. The Suspense was revealed too soon.
2. RT's character arc - lazy attempt by filmmakers here. They want the audience to love the hero, so they give him funny scenes. Then they want to show his evil side, too much that you start hating him. Then they try to justify it with a pale half baked revenge backstory.
3. Second half could've been faster. The backstory of Ravi Teja could've been shown partly in the first half and partly in 2nd half. This would've been much better imo.
Final Verdict: Not at all a family friendly film due to the direction, nor a good film (bcuz of bad screenplay) but it is a one time watchable massala film thanks to Ravi Teja, Jayaram, and the film's sound department.
Amigos (2023)
Amigos - Good but not Very Good
Amigos :
Highlights of the film:
1. Nandamuri Kalyan Ram's acting where he tries to fit into 3 different roles (and he does a very good job at it)
2. Movie based on an interesting concept but also has some elements of a commercial entertainer.
3. Cinematography & Ghibran's Background Score makes the first half engaging
4. Music - Enno Ratrulosta & Yeka Yeka were the best
Drawbacks:
1. Second half could've been better. The action and stunts were good, but NIA angle was unnecessary especially when it starts to get repetitive.
2. Climax was over the top (revealing it would be a spoiler)
3. It made no sense to show random scenes of the villain to prove how bad he is. Chemistry between hero and heroine was average.
Final Verdict:
Nandamuri Kalyan Ram's acting as three different people (including both hero and the villain!) was commendable.
With ample comedy and romance (despite lack of chemistry) 1st half was pretty good. Despite stylish action, the 2nd half was below par.
Overall, keep your expectations low and it is certainly good for one time watch.
Kantara (2022)
A really good film but slightly overhyped.
The film revolves around tribal cultures and their clashes with govt officials, also talks about land acquisition, Bhoota Kola culture, etc.
The intro was quite good but few minutes after the entry of the hero (who is also the director of this film) it stars getting boring. 2nd half had the best scenes in the film but overall speaking 2nd half wasn't as good as 1st half.
Some scenes even start to feel repetitive (some jump scare moments where the hero gets nightmares)
You start to feel this is no more about Bhoota Kola and the film just revolves around ego fight between the hero Shiva (played by Rishabh Shetty) and a DRFO police named Murali (played by Kishore KG)
Climax was excellent and the ending (with the original Varaha Roopam song) was satisfying beyond words. This is where the directorial genius of Rishabh Shetty is seen. The way he starts and concludes the story is simply amazing. The first and last 30 minutes were what engaged me. Rest felt like a dragged drama about village lifestyle.
Then why did I say it was overhyped? A good majority of audiences had no expectations before watching the film and once they were satisfied they praised it like there was nothing better in this universe
Keep in mind, this was a low budget movie so you can expect that it'll have a simple (yet impactful) story on societal issues and regional beliefs and traditions with some comedy & romance scenes to earn viewership.
But the story was so impactful (especially with the acting, screenplay, and sound design) that it became a huge success. So, before watching Kantara do not go with high expectations. Then this film surely won't disappoint you.
Highlights:
1. Storytelling & Screenplay
2. Sound Design & Songs (especially original Varaha Roopam)
3. Rishab's acting (and directing) in the climax
4. Although action scenes aren't praiseworthy, they are quite impressive considering the budget and genre
Drawbacks:
1. Deviations from the plot
2. Boring in the middle
3. Repetitive scenes
Final Verdict:
I say it's definitely a must watch film, but 9+ rating and calling it "Oscar worthy" is too much to praise as this movie is far from "perfect", but is undoubtedly one of the best in recent times. It is a family friendly movie, but if you don't keep high expectations, this film will not disappoint you.
K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022)
KGF 2
The Good:
- Production Values & Camera work
- Some aspects of the storyline
- Yash's screen presence in a few scenes
The Bad:
- The Screenplay, Editing, etc. (Basically everything else)
- Loud background music and tasteless songs (except maybe one or two songs)
- Rocky's coolness felt forced. In KGF 1 it felt natural. Here it seems Rocky is hellbent to prove he's badass and that appears as if he is insecure about his image. Only kids will like this kind of "coolness" (especially with some dialogues being unbearably cringe as if stolen from tiktok! : -)
Final Verdict:
You'll enjoy this movie if you look for plain action movies with good production design and don't care about logic/story. Direction & Screenplay was okayish. I don't know why people praise Prashant Neel, he might be good as a technician not as a director. Every scene is as predictable as it can be with a formulaic massala film (except that one parliament scene and mid credit scene)
Editing was horrible and scenes were forced into the film. KGF 1 gave kind of a "classic" mafia movie vibes while KGF 2 is more style than substance. Some of the camera shots were amazing though. This is the only aspect where KGF2 is as good as (or maybe even better than) KGF1
In short, it is not that bad, but it is not that good either. It does justice to Chapter 1 and ends the story, and that's it, nothing more nothing less.